May 26, 2014 (Nove Mesto, CZE) – Canadian mountain biker Léandre Bouchard of Alma, QC rode to his career-best performance on Sunday, finishing fifth of the men’s U23 cross-country race at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup event in Nove Mesto na Morave, CZE.

Bouchard completed the 24.3km course with a time 1:18:25 of racing, crossing the finish line 2:20 after the race winner Michiel van der Heijden (Ned) Giant Pro XC Team.

“I am very thrilled about the fifth place. I raced an impeccable race. The long and large start loop allowed me to position myself in the Top 10. Then, the legs kicked in and I was able to gain some positions, almost one per lap, said Bouchard. “That race had to be the best in my life. The fact that it is in Europe makes me even happier.”

Prior to the race, Bouchard knew the start would be key to a good performance. “We were 141 (of us) on the start line, and for me that was the largest number of riders I had to face in a race. I was starting from way back, but I knew I had the time to better position myself before the narrow stretch because the start loop is well done here in Czech Republic,” said Bouchard in a Sportcom interview.

Bouchard jostled for position in the start loop, and emerged sitting in eight place. In the first full lap, he posted his fastest lap of the day, and gained one position. The second lap was consistent, remaining in seventh place.

Bouchard made his move on the third lap, gaining two positions to sit in fifth place. During the last three laps of the five-lap race, Bouchard stayed consistent and managed to maintain his fifth place while creating some separation between himself and the riders behind him.

In the women’s elite race, Canadian rider Catharine Pendrel, racing for Team Luna Pro, rode to the second place at her first World Cup race of the season as Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Fra) Liv Pro XC Team took her first World Cup victory in Nove Mesto.

Pendrel returned to international racing this past weekend with a solid performance in the Czech Republic after sustaining a broken collarbone. Following an average start she moved up steadily taking advantage of every opportunity as soon found herself in fourth and then third, taking over 2nd place on lap 3 which she held until the finish. Emily Batty (Can) Trek Factory Racing made the top 20 placing 18th.

Raphael Gagné posted his best European performance to date in the Men’s Elite category 6-lap race, taking the 23rd place as the top Canadian finisher behind winner Nino Schurter (Sui) Scott-Odlo. Schurter led from the start and was in control the whole race while Gagne moved up steadily to finish strong.

The two junior races were held on Saturday. Marine Lewis finished 17th of the women’s race, while Marc-André Fortier finished 19th of the men’s race.

The Canadian Mountain Bike Team will now travel to Albstadt, Germany for the fourth event on the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup circuit.

Results

Elite Women
1. Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Fra) Liv Pro XC Team 1:26:50
2. Catharine Pendrel (Can) Luna Pro Team 2:50
3. Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa (Nor) Multivan Merida Biking Team 3:30

18. Emily Batty (Can) Trek Factory Racing 8:03
36. Mikaela Kofman (Can) Scott-3Rox Racing 13:03
59. Andreanne Pichette (Can)  -1 lap

Full results here.

Elite Men
1. Nino Schurter (Sui) Scott-Odlo 1:28:33
2. Stephane Tempier (Fra) BH-Suntour 0:08
3. Moritz Milatz (Ger) BMC MTB Racing Team 0:14

23. Raphael Gagne (Can) 4:37
49. Geoff Kabush (Can) Scott-3Rox Racing 7:27
99. Derek Zandstra (Can) Scott-3Rox Racing -2 laps
104. Sebastien Cadieux-Duval (Can)  -2 laps

Full results here.

U23 Women
1. Margot Moschetti (Fra) Scott – La Clusaz    1:16:18
2. Yana Belomoina (Ukr) Betch.nl Superior Brentjens MTB Racing Team    1:49
3. Lisa Rabensteiner (Ita) Focus XC Italy Team    2:45

19. Maghalie Rochette (Can) Luna Pro Team    10:57
21. Rachel Pageau (Can) Canadian National Team    11:16
29. Laura Bietola (Can) Canadian National Team    15:12
35. Frederique Trudel (Can) Canadian National Team    -1 Lap
43. Andreane Lanthier-Nadeau (Can) Canadian National Team    -1 Lap

Full results here.

Men U23
1. Michiel van der Heijden (Ned) Giant Pro XC Team    1:16:05
2. Jordan Sarrou (Fra) BH-Suntour-KMC 0:31
3. Samuel Gaze (Nzl)    1:58

5. Leandre Bouchard (Can) Canadian National Team    2:20
21. Jeremy Martin (Can) Canadian National Team    5:58
24. Evan McNeely (Can) Canadian National Team 6:15
35. Mitchell Bailey (Can)  Canadian National Team  8:00
48. Peter Disera (Can) Canadian National Team    9:41
55. Antoine Caron (Can) Canadian National Team    10:11
58. Steven Noble (Can)  Canadian National Team  10:34

Full results here.

Junior Women
1. Nicole Koller (Sui) 1:00:15
2. Sina Frei (Sui) 1:35
3. Malene Degn (Den)

17. Marine Lewis (Can)

Full results here.

Junior Men
1. Simon Andreassen (Den) 1:05:51
2. Luca Schwarzbauer (Ger) 0:58
3. Milan Vader (Ned) 2:30

19. Marc Andre Fortier (Can) 5:42
42. Felix Belhumeur (Can) 8:56
51. Felix Burke (Can) 9:41

Full results here.